电视

• Pinyin: diàn shì
• Hanzi breakdown: 电 (electricity) + 视 (view, see) — viewing by electricity, i.e. television

Meaning

Television; TV. Refers to the medium of television or the programming broadcast on it.

Can mean both the TV medium and TV programs. 看电视 (watch TV) refers to the activity. For the physical device, 电视机 is more precise, but 电视 is commonly used for both. Common phrases: 电视节目 (TV program), 电视台 (TV station).

Examples

1. 他每天晚上看电视。 He watches TV every evening.
2. 电视上有什么好看的？ What's good on TV?
3. 我不喜欢看电视。 I don't like watching TV.

Usage Guide

Context: entertainment, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你在看什么电视？(What are you watching on TV?)
• 电视坏了。(The TV is broken.)

Don't Say

• 看电视机 when meaning 'watch TV' (For the activity, say 看电视; 电视机 refers to the physical set)

Origin & History

Compound of 电 (electricity) and 视 (view, see) — to view by means of electricity.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal